Sunday, January 28, 2007

Timeline of environmental milestones for Ireland

Once upon a time - key environmental dates for Ireland

2006 - Nitrates Directive signed into law in Ireland
2006 - Ireland becomes the first country in Europe to propose 4 of its deepwater coral reef sites be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for protection under the EU Habitats Directive.

2000 - following commencement of Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 the following were ratified Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) (Bonn Convention) , International Tropical Timber Agreement

2000 - Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000

1997 - publication of 'Sustainable Development: A Strategy for Ireland', which provides for local authorities to complete Local Agenda 21 Plans for their areas
1997 - European Union (Natural Habitats) Regulations, S.I. 94/1997
1996 - signed Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) (Bonn Convention)
1996 - signed International Tropical Timber Agreement

1995 - endorsed the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy
1995 - Heritage Act, 1995
1995 - ratified Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (Bonn Convention)
1993 - signed Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (Bonn Convention)

1986 - Glenveagh National Park opens
1985 - ratified International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
1984 - ratified Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention)
1983 - ratified of Convention on the Conservation of migratory Species of Wild Animals. (Bonn Convention)
1982 - ratified of Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Berne Convention)

1979 - signing of Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Berne Convention)
1979 - signing of Convention on the Conservation of migratory Species of Wild Animals. (Bonn Convention)
1976 - Wildlife Act, 1976
1974 - signed Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
1971 - signed Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention)

1946 - signed International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
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The island of ireland

Once upon a time, and for 15000 years, ice a mile high blanketed Ireland. When the lingering Ice Age finally released and the Irish ice departed it left a landscape scoured. Across land bridges linking Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe plants and animals arrived to colonise the new lowlands, mountains and valleys. The world’s ice continued to melt, the sea levels to rise, and some 8000 years ago Ireland became the island we now know, accounting for just 0.01% of the world's total land area and the most westerly point of Europe.

Though at Alaskan latitudes, the country's climate is tempered, due partly to the neighbouring waters of the Gulf Stream and partly the prevailing southwesterlies that veering and backing make landfall on our sodden coast. These offerings from the Atlantic mean it is never too hot, never too cold. But without doubt it is wet. Rain lingers year round, never far away, though is most frequent in winter, the western counties and, inevitably, on the day of your parade.